These shots remind me of the Z32 300ZX from the 1990's. Now, I'm not saying I think the car's going to look like that, but these particular shots just remind me of that car.

Hmm... not so sure that I agree. The rear of the F12 isn't nearly as angled as on the Z32, and the front is over twice as "thick". The roof line and b-pillar are reminiscent of it though. Lose the Bangle Butt and slope the nose more and it would be closer.

I still think the Z32 is by far the best looking Fairlady that Nissan ever created. If the Z34 looked like the Z32, I'd have one in my garage right now.

For all those who think that this is an M6... from Autocar magazine UK...

These are the first spy pictures (same as pictures featured at the beginning of this thread) of the new range-topping BMW 6-series – but the car is unlikely to take the M6 badge this time around.

Instead, the range-topper for the next-generation 6-series will be the 650i model, pictured testing here.

See the latest BMW 6-series spy pics

Despite the M6-style quad exhausts, the car sports little other M6-design cues. The rest of the rear end is reminiscent of the standard 6-series range, while the tyres don’t appear to be as low profile as the current M6’s.

The heavy disguise covers everything bar the A and B-pillars and front roof section; the new 6-series will borrow much of its styling from the Concept Gran Coupe from the Beijing motor show. The next 6-series range will spawn a five-door variant based on the show car, too.
Instead of producing a new M6, Autocar understands BMW will instead create a standalone supercar to rival the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 based on the Vision ED concept from the Frankfurt motor show.

A prototype ED will be running by the summer; it’s intended to be a hi-tech sports car that showcases all of BMW’s eco-tech in the packaging of a performance car.

The production car is likely to be powered by the 4.4-litre V8 engine taken from the next-generation M5.

Interesting bit about the 5 door version- a possible A7 rival or is it the wagon version of the Gran Coupe?

Reading some of the media today where one says it is not the M6 but the 650i? I will Point out incase they are reading.
First of all the 650i has already been spotted using the trapezoid exhaust ports on each side of the rear valence.

BMW and M cars test in phases , a single prototype whether a BMW or an M car is not two cars the same , prototypes are utilised by every department and depends on what car is scooped it will be focusing on the development aspects of that department.
Specifics such as fit and finish are not needed , aerodynamics will be tested additionally. That is why there is no M styling packet as yet and is using the conventional 6er aerodynamics.
Eventually once targets have been met, multiple prototypes become one at the FEP stages.

In would also like to point out. Why does BMW need to have an exact interpretation of the Audi R8? Can BMW not do it differently without journalists pointing out that it has to be a word for word , power for power facsimile?
With the E60 M5 and the E63 M6 , BMW felt that customers reckoned the two cars were to close for comfort.
Now there is an ongoing effort to distance the new M6 (F12/F13) from the new M5 (F10)in terms of dynamics and composure.

BMW can do an R8 rival in terms of Power and dynamics , it is more refreshing to see them do something that showcases BMW's originality and engineering prowness but is in noways a direct facsimile.

Official launch for the new M6 will be @ Geneva 2012, alongside the new 3er Sedan , exactly at Geneva 2005 where the E90 and E63 M6 first made their debut.

The new 6er and X3 begins a trend for more sharper lines in specific design details , elements such as more broad sculpture , sharper angles around the twin-kidney grille outline and angular headlights which will also be carried over to the new 3er Sedan.

For all those who think that this is an M6... from Autocar magazine UK...

These are the first spy pictures (same as pictures featured at the beginning of this thread) of the new range-topping BMW 6-series – but the car is unlikely to take the M6 badge this time around.

Instead, the range-topper for the next-generation 6-series will be the 650i model, pictured testing here.

See the latest BMW 6-series spy pics

Despite the M6-style quad exhausts, the car sports little other M6-design cues. The rest of the rear end is reminiscent of the standard 6-series range, while the tyres don’t appear to be as low profile as the current M6’s.

I don't think you could be any more wrong about this not being an M6. No offense, but thats a pretty dumb thought seeing as BMW wouldn't put the quad exhaust or cross drilled brakes on a 650? and as Scott points out below, the 650 has already been shown with the rectangular (trapezoid) exhaust tips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

My post about this on GCF.

Reading some of the media today where one says it is not the M6 but the 650i? I will Point out incase they are reading.
First of all the 650i has already been spotted using the trapezoid exhaust ports on each side of the rear valence.

BMW and M cars test in phases , a single prototype whether a BMW or an M car is not two cars the same , prototypes are utilised by every department and depends on what car is scooped it will be focusing on the development aspects of that department.
Specifics such as fit and finish are not needed , aerodynamics will be tested additionally. That is why there is no M styling packet as yet and is using the conventional 6er aerodynamics.
Eventually once targets have been met, multiple prototypes become one at the FEP stages.

In would also like to point out. Why does BMW need to have an exact interpretation of the Audi R8? Can BMW not do it differently without journalists pointing out that it has to be a word for word , power for power facsimile?
With the E60 M5 and the E63 M6 , BMW felt that customers reckoned the two cars were to close for comfort.
Now there is an ongoing effort to distance the new M6 (F12/F13) from the new M5 (F10)in terms of dynamics and composure.

BMW can do an R8 rival in terms of Power and dynamics , it is more refreshing to see them do something that showcases BMW's originality and engineering prowness but is in noways a direct facsimile.

Official launch for the new M6 will be @ Geneva 2012, alongside the new 3er Sedan , exactly at Geneva 2005 where the E90 and E63 M6 first made their debut.

The new 6er and X3 begins a trend for more sharper lines in specific design details , elements such as more broad sculpture , sharper angles around the twin-kidney grille outline and angular headlights which will also be carried over to the new 3er Sedan.

Thanks again for the great info. If the new M6 will appear @ Geneva 2012 - when can we expect to see this car in showrooms across North America?

Empowered;7540815]For all those who think that this is an M6... from Autocar magazine UK...

These are the first spy pictures (same as pictures featured at the beginning of this thread) of the new range-topping BMW 6-series – but the car is unlikely to take the M6 badge this time around.

Unless you work for BMW at a higher level then a product manager I know then I have to say that your sources are wrong.

Quote:

Despite the M6-style quad exhausts, the car sports little other M6-design cues. The rest of the rear end is reminiscent of the standard 6-series range, while the tyres don’t appear to be as low profile as the current M6’s.

Look harder those are pretty slick tires not to mention the drilled brakes. BMW likes to maximize platforms that do sell in high numbers (X5 ///M & X6 ///M), economies of scale that bring down production costs and help drive profits - ala Porsche 911. Outside of what we see in these spy shots, it would make no financial sense to produce an M5 and not an M6 after an apparent success with the current generations.

With the E60 M5 and the E63 M6 , BMW felt that customers reckoned the two cars were to close for comfort.
Now there is an ongoing effort to distance the new M6 (F12/F13) from the new M5 (F10)in terms of dynamics and composure.

Good. Right now the M6 is really a 2-door version of the M5. I'd love to see the M6 take on a more "supercar" status

Im beginning to like how the lights are shaping up at the back. Honestly, they should have used these tail lights on the F10 because these seem to be similar to the taillight shape on the E60 the way it pans out toward the outside of the car. Then again theres still a panel blocking a portion of the light.

Heres my theory on this car. By looking at the photos it does look like a coupe because of the B pillar in which we know cabrios do not have B pillars. what fools us is the tape on the roof that gives us the impression that it is the hardtop cabrio just like the earlier photos we have seen before. ALSO...the cabrio seats with the seatbelts located on the side of the headrest like we see on the E93 cabrios. just like they put lines on the roof they also added cabrio seats to fool us even further you can see it in the photo i posted. i believe this is just a normal coupe and very sure its not an M6 either. oh you cant forget theres no trunk line for the hardtop to fold into like we see with the soft top versions.